Northfield's Kyra Kennedy tries to drive around Manchester's Jirni Cripe during second quarter action Saturday night. Photo by Joseph Slacian 

By The Paper Staff

Led by 13 points apiece from Kennedy Fierstos and Eva Bazzoni, Manchester’s girls basketball squad outlasted Class A No. 4 ranked Northfield 41-39 Saturday at Northfield.

Manchester took a 19-14 lead by the end of the first quarter, and maintained a 30-27 lead at the half. Northfield edged closer, 33-31 at the end of the third quarter, but Manchester was able to hold the Lady Norse off in the end to improve to 4-4 on the season.

Northfield fell to 5-2.
 

Wabash wrestler Ethan Higgins fights for position on Northfield's Roger Red during Saturday's Wabash County Wrestling Invitational at Manchester. Higgins was the champion of his weight class, going 5-0 on the day. Photo by Josh Sigler

By The Paper Staff

Wabash’s wrestling squad boasted eight individual champions on its way to claiming top honors in Saturday’s Wabash County Invitational.

Jared Brooks (106), R.J. Steg (113), Ethan Higgins (120), Braden Brooks (126), Robert Barnett (132), Anthony Long (138), Traydon Goodwin (152) and Justin Samons (220) each claimed individual titles for the Apaches.

Manchester finished second with a 4-1 record.

Trescott (170), Delton Moore (182) and Bryce Kamphues (285) each claimed individual titles.

“Several wrestlers stepped up for the team and got victories going up a weight class, including Delton Moore, who won the county title at 182,” Manchester coach Byron Sweet said. Bryce Kamphues and Trescott Duffy both remained undefeated on the year as well after picking up key victories for the team. The entire team had a solid showing, with 10 of 14 varsity spots having a winning record on the day.”
 

Wabash junior Dereck Vogel looks for a passing lane against Oak Hill on Wednesday, Nov. 21. The Apaches defeated the visiting Golden Eagles 53-43, in the season opener. Photo by Joseph Slacian. 

By The Paper Staff

The Wabash boys basketball squad opened the 2018-19 season with a 53-43 victory over Class 2A No. 3-ranked Oak Hill Golden Eagles on Wednesday, Nov. 21
Trenton Daughtry led the way for the Apaches with 19 points and six assists.
Elijah Vander Velden finished with 10 points and five rebounds, and Logan Vander Velden added eight points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Wabash returned to action Saturday, Nov. 24 and fell at Madison-Grant, 73-70, in overtime.
The Apaches battled back from a 40-28 halftime deficit, but came up short in overtime.
Daughtry again led Wabash with 24 points, six rebounds, three steals and three assists. Logan Vander Velden added 23 points, six rebounds and four steals, and Blake Gribben chipped in with nine points and eight rebounds.
 

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@wabashplaindealer.com

Both Parkview Wabash Hospital and the Parkview Health system as a whole has seen a major influx of influenza cases in recent days, officials told The Paper of Wabash County on Thursday, Feb. 8.

“As the whole state of Indiana has, we’ve seen a significant increase in the last few days,” said Angie Martinsky, infection preventionist at Parkview Wabash Hospital. “About half of our patient population that’s been admitted is influenza positive. It’s very widespread in Indiana.”

Northeast Indiana has been hit especially hard, said Kim Jerger, assistant manager of infection prevention for Parkview Health.

“Similar to the state and all of the U.S., we’re seeing extremely high numbers of flu cases,” Jerger said. “It’s probably in the neighborhood of something we haven’t seen since the pandemic of H1N1 of 2009. What’s interesting with this one is it’s not only impacting a large number of people, it’s also hitting much earlier in the flu season. Typically we’d see the flu season peaking right about now, but we saw this one start right around Christmas for us.”

As a result, visitor restrictions have been put in place locally and across Parkview Health.

According to a press release, anyone seeking treatment at the hospital with cold or flu-like are encouraged to wear a mask in the common areas of the complex, including waiting rooms. The hospital will not permit visitors under the age of 18 or any visitors who have flu-like symptoms to visit patients until further notice. And non-essential visitors should be limited to two per day.

“We want to keep our patients safe and our co-workers safe, so we don’t want a lot of visitors coming into the hospital,” Martinsky said. “We want people to stay home if they’re sick. We encourage hand washing and staying home from work or school if you’re sick. (We try to) educate on hand washing and covering your cough.”

Both Jerger and Martinsky said it’s encouraged that everyone six months or older get the flu vaccine, even though some reports have said that the vaccinations are only 10 to 30 percent effective.

“But, what we have to remember is we’re seeing people who are vaccinated aren’t as sick,” Martinsky said. “They aren’t being admitted to hospitals as much as the un-vaccinated individuals. We should still be getting vaccinated. The complications are less severe.”

If you think you have the flu, Martinsky recommended, first off, to stay away from other people.

“Most people don’t know you can be exposed to the flu from somebody standing six feet away,” she said. “The droplets travel throughout the air and can land in your eyes or mouth. Cover your cough and stay away from other people.
“If you go to the physician, they can prescribe a medication. Usually we hear it called Tamiflu. It’s an anti-viral (medication). It doesn’t kill the virus, but it does shorten the amount of time you may be sick.”

Jerger said to check in first with your family physician in lieu of going to the emergency room, unless your symptoms are extreme.

“Really try to use your primary care first, because emergency rooms are busy right now through this time of year,” Jerger said. “And (visiting the E.R.) promotes the spread of the illness, because you have sick people who are waiting who are sick with flu along with people who are there for other illnesses or injuries. If you’re not ‘that sick,’ see your doctor. But if you’re experiencing urgent-type items, certainly go to the emergency room.”

The Indiana State Health Department sent out an alert Friday, Feb, 9 that the flu outbreak continues to be wide reaching, reporting that 167 Hoosiers have died from the illness so far this season.

“This is a severe flu season, and unfortunately there are no signs that it has peaked yet, said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D in a press release. “Hoosiers should do everything they can to protect themselves and their families, including getting a flu vaccine and staying home if they are sick.”